Jackson Lafferty

Housing is a Northwest Territories issue. It’s a real challenge to deal with housing, especially in isolated communities. But we as a department are working with the LHOs in the communities, as well as the development corporations, to identify what is suitable in the communities. If there is any housing available, then we pass on the information to potential teachers that are coming in from outside and teachers from within the Northwest Territories.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to introduce Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act. The purpose of this legislation is to substitute the definition of the term “week” that is contained in section 1 of the Employment Standards Act.

The Employment Standards Act will come into effect on April 1, 2008, and will replace the Labour Standards Act, which currently regulates employers and employees in the Northwest Territories.

Section 1 of the Employment Standards Act defines “week” as the period between midnight on the Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday. The Department of...

I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Sahtu, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill includes a number of amendments to update the Residential Tenancies Act and to streamline the application and hearing process, including amendments that would:

allow a landlord to require a pet security deposit from a tenant who keeps or plans to keep a pet on a rental premises;

require landlords to conduct inspection of rental premises at the beginning and end of tenancy and provide opportunities for tenants to participate;

allow interest...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Thebacha, that Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, be read for a second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in the statutes of the Northwest Territories. The bill deals with other matters of minor, non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the statutes and repeals enactments and provisions that have ceased to have effect. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the department may have that information, which I don’t have in front of me today. I can certainly get that information, and I’m willing to share with the Member.

This particular program has been addressed by inmates, of course. There’s been some discussion among the inmates and the guards that was brought to our attention. There is a healing program needed at the correction centre and outside the environment of the centre. This is part of rehabilitation that we talked about. I see it as a healing path, coming back to society after what’s been done.

We are putting this forward based on the call of the inmates. That’s why we’re here providing more information that I didn’t share earlier. What we’re doing his is providing a rehabilitation program for...

Mr. Speaker, we accept recommendations and input from our Regular Members as well. We very much appreciate their input.

This review has been undertaken for just under a year now. It will be brought to the attention of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. The results of these recommendations will be brought forward. Any recommendations and advice from Members will certainly be taken into consideration in our discussion. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, we are trying to stay in line with other jurisdictions, to have secure premises for the safety of the public — just a security fence with a completely climb-proof upper section design, to prevent breaches of the security perimeter. This is one area that has been identified by Corrections as needed to prevent incidents such as escapes. Going to the facility, there are no gates or anything similar, so it’s a safety aspect for the public at large. Mahsi.

Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is working closely with Aurora College to perform a thorough review of apprenticeship and occupational certification programs. The review is being undertaken right now on a final technical report. There are surveys happening, and we're trying to get input from different sectors about what is working and what is not working. Then we will provide recommendations on moving forward. That is currently under review, and it will be brought forward for our department’s discussion. Mahsi.

Mr. Chairman, on the question of the perimeter fencing, at both the NSCC and also the young offenders facility at the present time the property is deficient at the current stage. We have incomplete or inadequate fencing currently at both facilities. As the Premier indicated, the requirement is to provide safety for the offenders, the staff and the public. That’s part of the reason we’re bringing this forward, so that the construction can happen this summer and then proceed with the fencing of both facilities. Mahsi.